1
as in conventional
accepted, used, or practiced by most people
the principal disagrees with the prevailing attitude toward corporal punishment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in general
held by or applicable to a majority of the people
the prevailing custom here is to leave one's doors unlocked
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in winning
to achieve victory (as in a contest)
we shall prevail despite the overwhelming odds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in surviving
to continue to operate or to meet one's needs
a custom that still prevails in many areas of Africa
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prevailing
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
Likewise, prevailing concepts of Hamlet at the time cast the prince as a wan and melancholic, leading critics to bristle at Bernhardt’s energy.
—Betsy Golden Kellem, JSTOR Daily, 18 Mar. 2026
Harvesting seed nearby is a way to get plants that are genetically adapted to the prevailing environmental conditions and are more likely to thrive.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
In the northern United States, enjoying the starry winter sky requires protection against the prevailing low temperatures.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 16 Jan. 2026
The monthly stochastic oscillator remains in overbought territory ( > 80%), underscoring the strength of the prevailing bullish trend rather than signaling exhaustion.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 15 Dec. 2025
As municipal pools became mixed-gender in the 1920s and ’30s, swimming naked no longer fit prevailing notions of decency.
—Jacob Beckert, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2025
Dissent is nothing more than the expression of an opinion that varies from the prevailing or traditional view or the position held by those in power.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 26 Sep. 2025
Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
While the prevailing theme for the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2026 NFL Draft was infusing the defense with starting-caliber talent, their final seventh-round selection shouldn’t be overlooked.
—Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026
For now, cautious investor optimism remains the prevailing sentiment and will most likely continue to power markets higher.
—Rob Wile, NBC news, 29 Apr. 2026
Here’s where Levie’s argument gets most interesting—and most at odds with the prevailing Silicon Valley narrative on jobs.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
The United States was still segregated by law and custom, but the Brill scene often operated by a different logic — one where some Black and white artists, men and women, made music that crossed lines imposed by the prevailing social order.
—New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
And despite the whitewashed canvas and angular Swiss lighting, the prevailing sense is not overly precious—this is kick-off-rainboots-and-curl-up territory.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
In 1930, Westinghouse’s President explicitly expressed the prevailing white romanticism of slavery.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 21 Apr. 2026
Spain’s approach sharply differs from prevailing attitudes elsewhere in Europe, where many governments have been trying to curb arrivals and step up deportations.
—ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The group noted the projection was revised upward from an earlier estimate owing to an additional year in the budget window and higher prevailing interest rates.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
Likewise, prevailing concepts of Hamlet at the time cast the prince as a wan and melancholic, leading critics to bristle at Bernhardt’s energy.
—Betsy Golden Kellem, JSTOR Daily, 18 Mar. 2026
Harvesting seed nearby is a way to get plants that are genetically adapted to the prevailing environmental conditions and are more likely to thrive.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
In the northern United States, enjoying the starry winter sky requires protection against the prevailing low temperatures.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 16 Jan. 2026
The monthly stochastic oscillator remains in overbought territory ( > 80%), underscoring the strength of the prevailing bullish trend rather than signaling exhaustion.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 15 Dec. 2025
As municipal pools became mixed-gender in the 1920s and ’30s, swimming naked no longer fit prevailing notions of decency.
—Jacob Beckert, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2025
Dissent is nothing more than the expression of an opinion that varies from the prevailing or traditional view or the position held by those in power.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
In 1997, Tupac’s mother, Afeni Shakur, filed a wrongful death suit against Orlando Anderson, based on the prevailing theory that Anderson opened fire because Tupac Shakur and figures affiliated with the Bloods had assaulted him in the MGM lobby earlier that day.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
While the prevailing theme for the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2026 NFL Draft was infusing the defense with starting-caliber talent, their final seventh-round selection shouldn’t be overlooked.
—Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026
For now, cautious investor optimism remains the prevailing sentiment and will most likely continue to power markets higher.
—Rob Wile, NBC news, 29 Apr. 2026
Here’s where Levie’s argument gets most interesting—and most at odds with the prevailing Silicon Valley narrative on jobs.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
The United States was still segregated by law and custom, but the Brill scene often operated by a different logic — one where some Black and white artists, men and women, made music that crossed lines imposed by the prevailing social order.
—New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
And despite the whitewashed canvas and angular Swiss lighting, the prevailing sense is not overly precious—this is kick-off-rainboots-and-curl-up territory.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
In 1930, Westinghouse’s President explicitly expressed the prevailing white romanticism of slavery.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 21 Apr. 2026
Spain’s approach sharply differs from prevailing attitudes elsewhere in Europe, where many governments have been trying to curb arrivals and step up deportations.
—ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prevailing
Adjective
-
Reportedly, this new design also outperformed conventional systems by reducing active material leakage.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The paramilitary guard will take over security duties currently performed by conventional military forces.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Then last June, the Nuggets snatched Wallace back from Minnesota, hiring him as their new co-general manager alongside his friend Ben Tenzer — another longtime Connelly disciple who’d been a steady hand behind the scenes in Denver’s front office since 2013.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Jacksonville general manager James Gladstone and coach Liam Coen cut their teeth as part of the Rams organization, learning from GM Les Snead and coach Sean McVay.—
Mark Long,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Aspen Wooten, a talented tennis prodigy who moved from Memphis to Lake Nona with her family as a ninth grader, had accomplished just about everything available in her four-year high school career — including winning more than 100 matches.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Schindler also put down the winning kill in both games for the Knights (16-5, 1-1).—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But even there, surviving economic momentum is “entirely thanks to exportsâ€� with domestic growth stagnant, an analyst told The Wall Street Journal.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Others are surviving on rental of parish parking lots or empty school facilities.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Flick was aware of what lay in store for his team and asked them to play a more pragmatic game than usual.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
As the Moon moves through your 5th House of Creativity, your voice carries more impact than usual.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Rolder, a linebacker who had a breakout season last fall at Michigan, was chosen Saturday by the Lions in the fourth round with the 118th overall pick.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Because of these differences, some estimates suggest patients could spend around 70–80% less overall when choosing treatment abroad, even after adding travel costs.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And this is clearly to get to a lasting peace.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
26 Apr. 2026
-
That experience left a lasting impression.—
Janelle Ash , Larry Fink,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Wagner already missed 48 games during the regular season while working his way back from injury, and the caution surrounding his current calf strain is understandable given the risk associated with rushing that type of issue.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
All of it is encrypted, and some of it could be stored by actors anticipating that current encryption methods may become less effective over time.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prevailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prevailing. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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